Sir Michael Bonallack is to succeed Mark H McCormack as the new Chairman of the Official World Golf Ranking. The Official World Golf Ranking was devised and created by Mark H McCormack who was Chairman of the World Ranking Board until his death in May last year. His company, IMG, has been responsible for managing and producing the weekly Ranking, which is now endorsed by the four Major Championships and the six Professional Tours making up the International Federation of PGA Tours, since the Ranking was first introduced in 1986.

It has also been agreed, with the full cooperation of IMG that the proprietary interest in the Official World Golf Ranking will be transferred to a new incorporated company, OFFICIAL WORLD GOLF RANKING. The new company will be based and administered from the Wentworth headquarters of The European Tour under the Chairmanship of Sir Michael Bonallack who said: ‘The Official World Golf Ranking is yet another legacy left to golf because of Mark McCormack’s superb vision and in assuming the role of Chairman I look forward to a new and exciting chapter in its history.’

Alastair Johnston, Co-CEO and President of IMG, commenting on the transfer, said: ‘Mark was justifiably proud of the World Ranking and the way it has developed over the years to become the acknowledged and definitive Ranking system for professional golf worldwide. I am confident he would have agreed the time is now right to transfer our proprietary interest to the new, independent entity.’

While the OWGR will now be administered from new offices at Wentworth, Matt Boucher, who has been responsible with Tony Greer for the management of the Ranking, will continue in his role with the new company and Greer, who has been associated with the Ranking since its launch in 1986, will remain as Consultant.

For more information, contact:

Matt Boucher on +44 (0) 1344 840458